Beater mechanism for agricultural row crop harvester

ABSTRACT

Beater mechanism for an agricultural row crop harvester. The mechanism includes a plurality of elongated beater members, each of which is pivoted for swinging, under power, into the path of plants (in a row), which plants move relative to the harvester as the latter travels over a field. The beater members have somewhat broom-like constructions, with each at its free end including a plurality of elongated side-by-side adjacent plant-engaging elements which strike stems in plants to dislodge produce.

United States Patent Watts [451 June 6,1972

[54] BEATER MECHANISM FOR AGRICULTURAL ROW CROP HARVESTER John P. Watts,Route 2, R0. Box 249, Hillsboro, Oreg. 97123 [22] Filed: Feb. 3, 1971[21] Appl. No.2 112,241

[72] inventor:

[52] US. Cl. ..56/330 [51] Int. Cl [58] Field of Search ..56/330, 328,l, 29

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,126,692 3/1964 Weygandt etal ..56/330 Lasswell, .Ir ..56/328 R Orton ..56/330 PrimaryEmminer-Russell R. Kinsey Attorney-Kolisch & Hartwell ABSTRACT Beatermechanism for an agricultural row crop harvester. The mechanism includesa plurality of elongated beater members, each of which is pivoted forswinging, under power, into the path of plants (in a row), which plantsmove relative to the harvester as the latter travels over a field. Thebeater members have somewhat broom-like constructions, with each at itsfree end including a plurality of elongated side-by-side adjacentplant-engaging elements which strike stems in plants to dislodgeproduce.

12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures HEATER MECHANISM FOR AGRICULTURAL ROW CROPHARVEQTER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This inventionpertains to automated harvesting equipment for an agricultural row crop,and more particularly to novel beater means in such equipment forbeating stems in plants for the purpose of dislodging produce. For thepurpose of illustration herein, a preferred embodiment of the inventionis described in conjunction with the harvesting of fruit berries, suchas blackberries, wherein the invention has been found to have particularutility.

In recent years, and for many reasons, there has been an increasinginterest in the development and use of automated agricultural harvestingequipment.

A general object of the present invention is to provide novel apparatusfor use in the automated harvesting of produce from plants in anupstanding row crop, such as from a crop of blackberry plants. Therelatively brief, and somewhat unpredictable, optimum picking times forsuch produce, coupled with the difficulties today of obtaining, on shortnotice, a sufficient farm labor (picking) force, make the use of suchautomated harvesting apparatus especially desirable.

There are, of course, a number of important considerations that must betaken into account if such apparatus is to perform satisfactorily inconnection with the harvesting, or picking, of berries such as thosementioned. One of these considerations is that the harvesting apparatus,or equipment, must do a thorough job in removing ripe fruit from plants.It must be able to do this relatively quickly and economically, and withminimal damage to the fruit and plants. When such equipment makes a passalong a row of plants, it should remove a minimum amount of unwantedmaterial (such as leaves and nonripe fruit) with the ripe fruit.

Thus, a more particular object of the invention is to provide apparatusfor use in harvesting equipment of the type mentioned which takes theseimportant considerations into account in a practical and satisfactorymanner.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide novel beatermeans for use in a row crop berry harvester, for beating stems in plantsto remove berries, which beater means is capable of thoroughly removingsuch berries with minimal damage to plants.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proposedbeater means includes a plurality of elongated beater members supportedon the frame which is adapted to straddle and move along a row of plantsin a field..The beater members are adapted to strike opposite sides ofthe plants in a row, at difierent elevations on the plants.

The beater members, which have somewhat broom-like constructions, arepivoted, and are swung under power into and out of the path of plantsstraddled by the frame. More specifically, each beater member includesadjacent its free end a plurality of elongated, independently andrelatively movable plantengaging elements (such as the bristles in abroom) disposed in side-by-side abutting adjacency in a generallyupright plane. These plantengaging elements collectively define agenerally upright planar plant-engaging panel which is for striking thestems in a plant. Because of the relative and independent movementpermitted between the elements, the geometry of the panel which theydefine tends to change as they are thrust against a plant, and thisfeature contributes to thorough nondestructive harvesting of berries. Inother words, the individual elements tend to penetrate into the insideof the plant to assure thorough removal of ripefruit, and when necessaryyield to prevent excessive and possibly damaging pressure against stemsin a plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantagesattained by the invention will become more fully apparent as thedescription which follows is read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified front elevation illustrating a row crop harvesterincorporating beater means constructed according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top view, taken generally along theline 22 in FIG. 1, illustrating details of the construction mounting andaction of beater elements in the beater means of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, andreferring first to FIG. 1, indicated generally at 10 is an agriculturalrow crop harvester which is adapted for harvesting produce such asblackberries.

The harvester includes a frame 12 having spaced-apart left and rightside portions 12a, 12b, respectively, in FIG. I joined through a centerportion 12c. The frame in the harvester may be constructed in anysuitable manner, and in the particular embodiment illustrated, is formedof welded-together steel channel and angle members. Frame 12 is adaptedto straddle a row of plants as the harvester travels over a field, andas it is viewed along its longitudinal axis (as in FIG. 1), it will benoted that its side and center portions define what might be thought ofas a tunnel or passage 14 that accommodates such plants. The dimensionsof this tunnel are, of course, a matter of choice and depend on theparticular crop for which the harvester is intended. The tunnel in anyevent must be large enough to accommodate the upright zone occupied byplants in a row. Such a zone in the case being described herein isdefined by planes 11, 13, 15. In frame 12, tunnel 14 has a width ofabout 6 feet and a height of about 10 feet.

Another matter of choice is the length of the frame. Obviously, thislength must be sufficient to accommodate the particular plant-engaging,and produce-gathering and delivering equipment which is intended to becarried on the frame. In the case of the particular frame illustrated,its length is about 12 feet.

Frame 12 is adapted for travel over the ground, with its rear end (whichis away from the viewer in FIG. I) supported on wheel assemblies 16. Thefront end of the frame, at its right side in FIG. 1, is connectedthrough a conventional hitch mechanism shown partially at 18 to asuitable towing vehicle, such as a conventional agricultural tractor(not shown). With such an arrangement, the tractor is disposed forwardlyand to one side of the frame, and when driven, tows the frame in thedirection of arrow 19 (see FIG. 2)which is in a direction out of theplane of FIG. 1. In particular, and during a normal harvestingoperation, the towing tractor travels along and between a pair of rowsof plants in a field, with the harvester frame straddling one of theserows. Obviously, the exact way in which a towing vehicle is attached,and the particular relative location of the towing vehicle and harvesterframe, are matters of choice.

Considering frame 12 in somewhat greater detail, in the particularembodiment illustrated, the two side portions of the frame areessentially identical (though reversed) in construction. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2 together, and considering specifically portion 174, itcomprises a plurality of inner uprights, such as upright 20 and aplurality of outer uprights, such as upright 22. The various adjacentinner uprights are interconnected through a plurality of generallyhorizontally and longitudinally extending members, such as that shown at24 in FIG. 2; and similarly, the various adjacent outer uprights areinterconnected through a plurality of horizontally and longitudinallyextending members, such as member 26 shown in FIG. 2. Interconnectingthe structures made up of uprights 20 and members 24 on the one hand,and uprights 22 and members 26 on the other hand, adjacent opposite endsof the frame portion, are a plurality of substantially horizontaltransverse members, such as members 28.

Frame portion 12b includes inner and outer uprights 30, 32 correspondingto uprights 20, 22, respectively, longitudinal members (concealed)corresponding to longitudinal members 24, 26, and transverse members 34corresponding to transverse members 28.

' 'Refern'ng for a moment particularly to FIG- 2, suitably fastened tothe inner'uprights and longitudinal members (20,

24) in frame portion 120 is a large flat and relatively thin plate 38formed of a suitable rigid material such as plywood. It will be apparentthat plate 38 is disposed in a generally upright plane whichsubstantially parallels the longitudinal axis' of frame. 12, such axisbeing shown at 12d in FIG. 2. Plate 38 extends between the front and.rear ends of frameportion-l2a, and between the lowermost transversemembers 28 in the frame portion and the lowermost transverse members 36in central portion 120. A similar plate (concealed in FIG. 1) is mountedin a similar manneron side portion 12b in the frame. Mounted onframe 12according to the present invention are two beater mechanisms, or means,40, 42 constructed as contemplated herein. Beater mechanism 40 issupported on frame portion 12a, and beater mechanism 42 is supported onframe portio'n'l2b.

The two beater mechanisms are similar in construction, and consideringmechanism 40 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it comprises aplurality-namely, four-of elongated vertically spaced beater members 44,46, 48, 50. These members are substantially the same in construction andmounting. Con sidering member 44, it hasa substantially broom-likeconstruction, andin fact, preferably takes the formof a conventionalreadily available broom of the style illustrated in the drawings. Such abroom, which can be conveniently obtained, has been found to performvery satisfactorily. However, while suchan article (namely a broom) hasbeen found to be conve'nient for use as a beater member herein, it willbe obvious from .thedescription which now follows that other specificconstructions may be employed. I

Considering the essential parts of member 44 (and of the other beatermembers herein), it includes an elongated sub- 'st antiallyrigid slenderarm 440 (such as the handle in a broom) on the outer or free end ofwhich are mounted a plurality of, flexible, independently and relativelymovable elements 44b (such as the bristles in abroom). Elements 44b.preferably substantially parallel one another, and are disposed inside-by-side abutting adjacency in a generally upright plane. Inaddition, these. elements are preferably arranged with their inner endsanchored against movement relative to one another and theirouter endsfree, and in a bundle having considerable thickness when viewed on edgeas in FIG. 2. As will be more fully explained,-elements 44b are forstriking stems in a plant for the purpose of dislodging fruit, and theseelements collectively define what might be thought of as achangeable-configuration plant-engaging panel 45.

,This type of construction in the beater members assures a number ofimportant results in the harvesting of produce such as blackberries. Thepanel just mentioned defined by a bundle of elements 44b, when swungagainst and into a plant, engages the plant over a relatively broadarea. This minimizes the likelihood of excessive and possibly damagingforcesor pressures being exerted against stems in the plant. Because ofthe fact that the elements forming a panel are independently andrelatively-movable, they yield and shifipositions relative to oneanother when driven against a plant. This assures that some of theelements can pass outer stems and reach into the interior of the plantto dislodgeripe fruit. Such relative movenient between the elements notonlycontributes to thorough removalof ripe fruit, in the inside as wellas the outside of a plant, but also permits the panel formed by theelements to defonn arou'nd blocking stems (particularly outer stems) inthe plant to minimize damage to such stems.

Considering the. means provided for mounting beater member 44, itcomprises a rocker 52 having the angular configurationillustrated inFIG. 2. Rocker 52 is pivoted at 56 on the inner front comer of frameportion 12a (and at the elevation illustrated in FIG. 1) for rockingabout a substantially upright axis 56a. The rocker includes an armportion 520 which extends generally to the left of pivot connection 54in the figures, and an arm portion 521: which extends generally to theright and upwardly of pivot connection 54 in FIG. 2. Arm portion 52bextends through a suitable clearance opening 58 provided in plate 38.The inner end of arm 44a of beater member 44 is clamped inside asuitable receiving socketprovided in arm portion 526. Member 44 is thusmounted for l swinging or reciprocating back and forth about axis 560. v.lournaled on the left end ofarm portion'52a is a roller This roller isjoumaled for rotation about 62 which substantially parallels axis 56a.Also ,mountedon arm portion 52a is a bracket 64 whose function-will beexplainedshortly.

As has previously been mentioned, beat er members 46, '48, 50 aresubstantially the same in construction as beater member 44; and, theyare mounted in a similar fashion on frame portion 120. As can be seen inFIG. 1, beater member 46 is disposed below member 44, member 48 belowmember 46, and member 50 below member 48. U I

Beater members 44, 46, 48, 50 are biased to swing inwardly toward thecenter of tunnel 14 by means of tension springs 66, 68, 70, 72,respectively. These springs are substantially. the same in constructionand strength. The right ends in the figures of the four springsmentioned are secured to the outer ends of the brackets (like bracket64) attached to the rockers for beater members 44, 46, 48, 50. This canbe seen clearly in FIG. 2 where the right end of spring 66 is attachedto the outer end of bracket 64'. The lefi ends of the springsin thefigures are connected to cranks 74 which are anchored at verticallyspaced points on an upright shaft '75 which is joumaled in bearings 77mounted on the front.upright 22 in frame portion 124:.

Cranks 74 and shaft 75 may be turned as a unit aboutthe longitudinalaxis of the shaft. Shaft 75, and-hence cranks 74, may be adjusted to anydesired angular position relative to the axis of the shaft, and suchaction establishesthe amount of tension in .the springs. Any suitableform of adjusting means may be provided for this purpose. j

According to the invention, the beater members 44, 46, 48, 50 are swungoutwardly (relative to frame axisil2d), or

' retracted, against the action of the biasing springs by means of cams76, 78, 80, 82, respectively (see FIG. 2), which are anchored atvertically spaced pointson anupr'ight shaft. 84. These four cams aresubstantially identicalin construction, and have the profilesillustrated in FIG 2. Adjacent cams are disposed at angles relativetoone another. Morespecifically,

and considering the cams asviewed in FIG. 2, cam 78 is disposed 90clockwise on the, shaft from cam 76, cam 80 is disposed 90 clockwise onthe shaft from cam 78, and similarly, cam 82 is disposed 90 clockwise onthe shafl from cam 80.

Shaft 84 is joumaled in a plurality .of vertically spaced bearings 85which are mounted on frame portion 12a through brackets such as thoseshown at 86 in FIG. 2. Cams 76, 78, 80, 82 are adapted to turn as a unitwith shaft 84 about the latters axis.

The cams, through engaging the rollers (like roller 60) on the rockers(like rocker 52) are adapted to retract, at different times, theirassociated beater members to positions such as that shown in solidoutline in FIG. 2 for beater member 44.

one side of the zone previously described between planes ll,

' 13. In addition, the cams permit their associated beater mem bers tobe swung at difi'erent times by their respective biasing springsinwardly toward frame axis 12d. In particular, each biasing spring ispermitted to swing its associated beater member inwardly to a positionsuch as that shown in dash-dot outline at 44A inFIG. 2 for beater member44. With member 44 in such a position, it will be noted that panelv 45is within the zone between planes ll, 13.

' As will be more fully explained, shaft 84 istumed under power in thedirection of arrow 88 in FIG. 2. With such tuming of this shaft, eachbeater member 44, 46, 48, 50 is reciprocated alternately toward and awayfrom the center of tunnel 14. More specifically, and as will be apparentfrom FIG. 2, each beater member is swung inwardly under the influence ofits associated biasing spring when the roller on its associated rockeris released from the radial high point on its associated cam. Afterhaving swung inwardly in this manner, the beater member is retractedgradually due to engagement of its associated roller and cam. The beatermembers in mechanism 40 swing inwardly in the sequence of: member 50,member 48, member 46, member 44, and then member 50 again, and so on. Inthe drawings herein, these beater members are illustrated in therelative positions which they have at a moment in time just after member46 has been swung inwardly by spring 68, and just before member 44 willbe swung by its biasing spring 66.

It will be apparent from the preceding description that, depending uponthe tension in the biasing springs for the beater members, the lattercan be swung inwardly against a plant in tunnel 14 with differentpredetermined forces. Obviously, because of the way in which the rollerson the rockers are released from the radial high points in the cams, thebeater members swing inwardly quite rapidly. They are retracted moregradually.

As was mentioned briefly earlier, mechanism 42 is similar inconstruction to mechanism 40. The various parts in mechanism 42 aredisposed in what might be thought of as mirror-image positions andorientations relative to the corresponding parts in mechanism 40.Mechanism 42 differs from mechanism 40 chiefly in that the sequence ofoperation for its beater members is the reverse of that for the beatermembers in mechanism 40.

Mechanism 42 comprises four beater members 90, 92, 94, 96 which are thesame in construction as the beater members previously described, andwhich correspond, in position on frame 12, to beater members 44, 46, 48,50, respectively. The beater members in mechanism 42 are fastened torockers 98 which correspond to rocker 52; and rockers 98 carry rollers(concealed) corresponding to rollers 60. Tension springs 100, 102, 104,106, which correspond to springs 66, 68, 70, 72, respectively, performin the same manner with respect to beater members 90, 92, 94, 96,respectively.

In addition, cams (concealed), essentially the same in design as thecams previously described, are provided for retracting the beatermembers in mechanism 42, and are mounted on a shaft 108 whichcorresponds to shaft 84. Unlike shaft 84 which is intended to turnclockwise about its axis when viewed axially from its upper end, shaft108 is intended to turn counterclockwise when so viewed. The cams inmechanism 42 are anchored to shaft 108 with orientations taking thisdifferent direction of rotation into account, and are angularly disposedrelative to one another to produce a sequence of operation whereinbeater member 90 swings inwardly under the influence of its biasingspring, followed by beater member 92, then beater member 94, then beatermember 96, and again beater member 90, and so on. It will be obvious tothose skilled in the art, based on the description given above ofmechanism 40, how the cams in mechanism 42 may be arranged to producesuch operation.

Shafts 84, 108 and springs 66, 68, 70, 72, 100, 102, 104, 106collectively comprise power-operated means herein.

Suitably mounted on the top of the right side of frame portion 12b inFIG. 1 is a conventional gasoline engine 110. The output shaft 110a ofthis engine is connected through a conventional gear mechanism 112 toshaft 108. In addition, it is connected through this gear mechanism to ashaft 114 which is drivingly connected through another conventional gearmechanism 116 to shaft 84. With operation of engine 110, shafts 84, 108are driven under power in the angular directions previously mentioned.

Explaining how the apparatus described herein performs, during aharvesting operation the harvester is towed along a row of plants, withframe 12 straddling the row, such as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Withengine 110 operating, the beater mem- 0 members are not forced against aplant in a way that might break a member should it encounteranobstruction, such as a very stiff trunk in a plant, or a post or thelike employed in a row of plants. In addition, such action helps tominimize the likelihood of plant damage.

The panels, such as panel 38, along opposite sides of tunnel l4 preventberries from flying outwardly from the harvester where they might belost. The dislodged berries are collected in any suitable manner, as bymeans of conventional hinged fishplate mechanisms (such as those shownin dashed block outline at 118, 120 on the left and right sides of therow in FIG. 1), and are discharged from such mechanism onto suitableconveyers carried adjacent the bases of the side portions in frame 12.Such conveyers, illustrated in dashed block outlines at 122, 124 onframe portions 12a, 12b, respectively, may be constructed and configuredin any desirable manner.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein,it is appreciated that variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from its spirit.

It is claimed and desired to secure by LETTERS PATENT: l. Beater meansfor an agricultural row crop harvester having a frame supported forground travel along a row of plants, said beater means comprising anelongated beater member including adjacent one of its ends a pluralityof elongated, independently and relatively movable plant-engagingelements which collectively define a generally upright, planar,changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, and mounting means forsaid member adapted to mount the same on said frame for alternatingmovement thereon toward and away from plants in a row during aharvesting operation to strike stems in such plants with said elements.2. The beater means of claim I, wherein said beater member is broom-likein construction.

3. Beater means for an agricultural row crop harvester having a framesupported for ground travel along a row of plants, said beater meanscomprising an elongated beater member including adjacent one of its endsa plurality of elongated, independently and relatively movableplant-engaging elements disposed in side-byside abutting adjacency in agenerally upright plane, and

mounting means for said member adapted to mount the same on said framefor alternating movement thereon toward and away from plants in a rowduring a harvesting operation to strike stems in such plants with saidelements.

4. The beater means of claim 3, wherein said elements have one set ofadjacent ends which are anchored against relative movement, and anotherset of adjacent ends which are free.

5. The beater means of claim 4, wherein said elements, between theirsaid one and other sets of ends, generally parallel one another.

6. The beater means of claim 5, wherein said heater member is broom-likein construction.

7. Beater means for an agricultural row crop harvester where theharvester has a frame portion which, with travel of the harvester alonga row of plants during a harvesting operation, is adapted to moveadjacent the generally upright zone occupied by such plants, said beatermeans comprising an elongated beater member including adjacent one ofits ends a plurality of elongated, independently and relatively movableplant-engaging elements which collectively define a generally upright,planar, changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, and

where the harvester has a frame portion which, with travel of theharvester along a row of plants during a harvesting operation, isadapted to move adjacent the generally upright zone occupied by suchplants, said beater means comprising at least a pair of elongatedbeatermembers with each including adjacent one of its ends a plurality ofelongated, independently and relatively movable plant-engaging elementswhich collectively define a generally upright, planar,changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, and

means for mounting said members at vertically spaced locations on saidframe portion for reciprocal movement, during difi'erent respective timeintervals in such a harvesting operation, between one set of positionswith said panels disposed to one side of such a zone, and another set ofpositions with said panels within said zone.

9. Beater means for an agricultural row crop harvester where theharvester has a frame which, with travel of the harvester along a row ofplants during a harvesting operation, is adapted to straddle and movealong the generally upright zone occupied by such plants, said beatermeans comprising a plurality of elongated beater members, each includingadjacent one of its ends a plurality of elongated, independently andrelatively movable plant-engaging elements which collectively define agenerally upright, planar, changeable-configuration plant-engagingpanel, and

means for mounting different ones of said members at vertically spacedlocations on opposite sides of said frame for reciprocal movement of amember, during such a harvesting operation, between one position withits said panel disposed to one side of such a zone, and'another positionwith said panel within the zone, with the panels of different beatermembers moving between their respective said one and said otherpositions during different respective time intervals. 10. In aground-traveling agricultural row crop harvester having a frame portionadapted, with travel of the harvester along a row of plants during aharvesting operation, to move along and adjacent the generally uprightelongated zone occupied by the plants in such a row, beater means fordislodging produce from such plants comprising a plurality of elongatedbeater members, each including adjacent one of its ends a plurality ofelongated, independently and relatively movable plant-engaging elementswhich collectively define a generally upright, planar,changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, mounting means for eachmember mounting the same on said frame portion for reciprocation thereontoward and away from plants in a row during a harvesting operation tostrike stems in such plants with the elements in the member, andpower-operated means operatively connected to said members forreciprocating the same, with the plant-engaging panels in the members onthe latter reciprocating moving alternately into and out of such a zone.I l l. The beater means of claim 10, wherein the plant-engaging elementsin a member are disposed generally in side-byside parallel adjacency.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1, wherein each beater member has abroom-like construction.

1. Beater means for an agricultural row crop harvester having a framesupported for ground travel along a row of plants, said beater meanscomprising an elongated beater member including adjacent one of its endsa plurality of elongated, independently and relatively movableplant-engaging elements which collectively define a gEnerally upright,planar, changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, and mountingmeans for said member adapted to mount the same on said frame foralternating movement thereon toward and away from plants in a row duringa harvesting operation to strike stems in such plants with saidelements.
 2. The beater means of claim 1, wherein said beater member isbroom-like in construction.
 3. Beater means for an agricultural row cropharvester having a frame supported for ground travel along a row ofplants, said beater means comprising an elongated beater memberincluding adjacent one of its ends a plurality of elongated,independently and relatively movable plant-engaging elements disposed inside-by-side abutting adjacency in a generally upright plane, andmounting means for said member adapted to mount the same on said framefor alternating movement thereon toward and away from plants in a rowduring a harvesting operation to strike stems in such plants with saidelements.
 4. The beater means of claim 3, wherein said elements have oneset of adjacent ends which are anchored against relative movement, andanother set of adjacent ends which are free.
 5. The beater means ofclaim 4, wherein said elements, between their said one and other sets ofends, generally parallel one another.
 6. The beater means of claim 5,wherein said beater member is broom-like in construction.
 7. Beatermeans for an agricultural row crop harvester where the harvester has aframe portion which, with travel of the harvester along a row of plantsduring a harvesting operation, is adapted to move adjacent the generallyupright zone occupied by such plants, said beater means comprising anelongated beater member including adjacent one of its ends a pluralityof elongated, independently and relatively movable plant-engagingelements which collectively define a generally upright, planar,changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, and means for mountingsaid member on said frame portion for reciprocal movement, during such aharvesting operation, between one position with said panel facing anddisposed to one side of such a zone, and another position with saidpanel within said zone.
 8. Beater means for an agricultural row cropharvester where the harvester has a frame portion which, with travel ofthe harvester along a row of plants during a harvesting operation, isadapted to move adjacent the generally upright zone occupied by suchplants, said beater means comprising at least a pair of elongated beatermembers with each including adjacent one of its ends a plurality ofelongated, independently and relatively movable plant-engaging elementswhich collectively define a generally upright, planar,changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, and means for mountingsaid members at vertically spaced locations on said frame portion forreciprocal movement, during different respective time intervals in sucha harvesting operation, between one set of positions with said panelsdisposed to one side of such a zone, and another set of positions withsaid panels within said zone.
 9. Beater means for an agricultural rowcrop harvester where the harvester has a frame which, with travel of theharvester along a row of plants during a harvesting operation, isadapted to straddle and move along the generally upright zone occupiedby such plants, said beater means comprising a plurality of elongatedbeater members, each including adjacent one of its ends a plurality ofelongated, independently and relatively movable plant-engaging elementswhich collectively define a generally upright, planar,changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, and means for mountingdifferent ones of said members at vertically spaced locations onopposite sides of said frame for reciprocal movement of a member, duringsuch a harvesting operation, between one position with its said paneldisposed to one side of such a zone, and another position with saidpanel within the zone, with the panels of different beater membersmoving between their respective said one and said other positions duringdifferent respective time intervals.
 10. In a ground-travelingagricultural row crop harvester having a frame portion adapted, withtravel of the harvester along a row of plants during a harvestingoperation, to move along and adjacent the generally upright elongatedzone occupied by the plants in such a row, beater means for dislodgingproduce from such plants comprising a plurality of elongated beatermembers, each including adjacent one of its ends a plurality ofelongated, independently and relatively movable plant-engaging elementswhich collectively define a generally upright, planar,changeable-configuration plant-engaging panel, mounting means for eachmember mounting the same on said frame portion for reciprocation thereontoward and away from plants in a row during a harvesting operation tostrike stems in such plants with the elements in the member, andpower-operated means operatively connected to said members forreciprocating the same, with the plant-engaging panels in the members onthe latter reciprocating moving alternately into and out of such a zone.11. The beater means of claim 10, wherein the plant-engaging elements ina member are disposed generally in side-by-side parallel adjacency. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each beater member has a broom-likeconstruction.